Which airport to fly into
The Dominican Republic has several international airports, and choosing the right one can save you hours on the road:
- Punta Cana (PUJ): the busiest, with the most direct flights. Best for Punta Cana and Bávaro resorts, and about 1.5 hours from Bayahibe. See Punta Cana scuba diving.
- La Romana (LRM): small, with fewer flights, but the closest to Bayahibe and Catalina Island.
- Santo Domingo, Las Américas (SDQ): the main airport for the capital, minutes from La Caleta and Boca Chica, and about 1.5 to 2 hours from Bayahibe.
- Puerto Plata (POP): for the north coast and Sosúa, and the departure port for Silver Bank whale trips.
- Santiago (STI) and Samaná El Catey (AZS): useful for the north and for Samaná Bay whale watching.
Entry requirements and the e-Ticket
Rules depend on your nationality, so always check your own government's travel advice and the Dominican authorities before you travel. In general:
- Passport validity rules depend on your nationality and have changed recently. The general rule has been six months of validity, with a temporary exception that lets some nationalities, including US, Canadian, UK and EU citizens, travel on a passport valid for the length of their stay. Check the Dominican Migration website for the rule on your travel dates.
- Many visitors, including citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union, do not need a visa for a tourist stay.
- The tourist card fee is now included in most airline tickets, so you no longer buy one on arrival.
- Every traveler must complete the free online e-Ticket form, which combines immigration and customs, before arrival and again before departure. You get a QR code to show at the airport. Use the official government site and be wary of look-alike sites that charge a fee.
- Tourist stays are limited in length; staying longer than the standard period means paying a fee when you leave.
Getting around
Most visitors use pre-booked transfers or taxis between the airport, hotel and dive center, and many dive centers include hotel pick-ups in their prices. Comfortable intercity buses connect the main cities, and ride-hailing apps work in some of the larger cities and resort areas. If you rent a car, drive defensively: traffic is busy around Santo Domingo, motorbikes are everywhere, and many people avoid driving at night outside the cities.
Money, language and power
- The currency is the Dominican peso (DOP). US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, and cards work in hotels and larger businesses; carry some cash for small shops, tips and park fees.
- Spanish is the official language. English is common in resorts and dive centers, less so elsewhere.
- Electricity is 110 V with US-style plugs, which matters if you charge dive lights, cameras and computers.
- Drink bottled or filtered water.
Dive safety and insurance
Diving in the Dominican Republic is mainly from boats, often some distance from the nearest town. A few simple steps make a big difference:
- Carry dive insurance that covers recompression treatment and evacuation, from a specialist such as DAN or through a travel policy that names scuba diving at the depths you plan. Ordinary travel insurance often excludes it.
- Ask your dive center whether the boat carries oxygen and a first-aid kit, and where the nearest recompression chamber is.
- Dive conservatively: use a dive computer, make safety stops, stay hydrated in the heat and avoid alcohol between dives.
- Remote trips such as Silver Bank whale trips and cave dives need extra planning; check your cover before you book.
Flying after diving
Plan your last dive around your flight home. Widely used guidance is to wait at least 12 hours after a single no-decompression dive, and at least 18 hours after several dives or several days of diving. After decompression dives, wait longer. Many divers simply leave a full day without diving before they fly, which is also a good day for Saona's beaches or a trip into Santo Domingo's colonial zone.
What to pack
- Your certification card (or agency app) and logbook, especially for deeper dives such as the St. George wreck.
- Your own mask, and ideally a dive computer; rental gear is widely available.
- A 3 mm wetsuit or shorty, or 5 mm for caves. The best time to dive in the Dominican Republic page gives water temperatures by season.
- Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and a long-sleeved rash guard for boat days.
- Motion-sickness tablets if you are prone to it, for longer boat rides.
Ready to dive?
If you are not certified yet, read learn to dive in the Dominican Republic. If you are, pick a region and start planning: the Dominican Republic dive guide home page compares them all.
Questions
Dominican Republic dive travel: FAQ
Do I need a visa to dive in the Dominican Republic?
Many nationalities, including US, Canadian, UK and EU citizens, can visit as tourists without a visa. Check the current rules for your passport before you travel.
What is the e-Ticket?
A free online immigration and customs form that every traveler must complete before arriving in and leaving the Dominican Republic. It gives you a QR code for the airport.
How long should I wait to fly after diving?
At least 12 hours after a single no-decompression dive and at least 18 hours after multiple dives or days of diving. Many divers leave a full day.